Optimized hvac system control for electrified vehicles

Abstract

A system for optimizing energy efficiency in an electrified vehicle includes an HVAC system configured to provide climate control for at least one of (i) a cabin of the electrified vehicle and (ii) a battery system of the electrified vehicle; a regenerative braking system configured to convert the electrified vehicle's kinetic energy into electrical energy; and a controller configured to, based on a vehicle torque request, control a distribution of the electrical energy generated by the regenerative braking system between (i) recharging a battery system of the electrified vehicle and (ii) powering the HVAC system. A method for controlling the HVAC system includes determining, at the controller of the electrified vehicle, the vehicle torque request, and based on the vehicle torque request, controlling, by the controller, the distribution of electrical energy generated by a regenerative braking system between (i) recharging the battery system and (ii) powering the HVAC system.

1 . A system for optimizing energy efficiency in an electrified vehicle, the system comprising:
 a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system configured to provide at least one of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for a battery system of the electrified vehicle;   a regenerative braking system configured to convert kinetic energy of the electrified vehicle to electrical energy; and   a controller configured to, based on a vehicle torque request, control a distribution of the electrical energy generated by the regenerative braking system between (i) recharging the battery system and (ii) powering the HVAC system.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to control the distribution of the electrical energy generated by the regenerative braking system such that the HVAC system is supplied with (i) an average actual power over a period equal to (ii) an average desired power of the HVAC system over the period. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to control the distribution of the electrical energy generated by the regenerative braking system such that during the period the HVAC system is provided at least one of (i) an actual power less than its desired power and (ii) an actual power greater than its desired power. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to decrease the electrical energy provided from the regenerative braking system to the HVAC system in response to an increase in the vehicle torque request. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to increase the electrical energy provided from the regenerate braking system to the HVAC system in response to a decrease in the vehicle torque request. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to control the distribution of the electrical energy generated by the regenerative braking system between (i) recharging the battery system and (ii) powering the HVAC system during only non-highway driving by the electrified vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the battery system is configured to at least partially power both (i) an electric motor configured to generate drive torque to propel the electrified vehicle and (ii) the HVAC system. 
     
     
         8 . A method for controlling a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of an electrified vehicle, the method comprising:
 determining, at a controller of the electrified vehicle, a vehicle torque request; and   based on the vehicle torque request, controlling, by the controller, a distribution of electrical energy generated by a regenerative braking system of the electrified vehicle between (i) recharging a battery system of the electrified vehicle and (ii) powering the HVAC system such that:   the HVAC system is supplied with an average actual power over a period equal to an average desired power of the HVAC system over the period, and   during the period, the HVAC system is supplied with at least one of (i) an actual power less than its desired power and (ii) an actual power greater than its desired power.   
     
     
         9 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein controlling the distribution of the electrical energy includes decreasing the electrical energy provided from the regenerative braking system to the HVAC system in response to an increase in the vehicle torque request. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein controlling the distribution of the electrical energy includes increasing the electrical energy provided from the regenerate braking system to the HVAC system in response to a decrease in the vehicle torque request. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the distribution of the electrical energy generated by the regenerative braking system between (i) recharging the battery system and (ii) powering the HVAC system is controlled during only non-highway driving by the electrified vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the battery system is configured to at least partially power both (i) an electric motor configured to generate drive torque to propel the electrified vehicle and (ii) the HVAC system. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the HVAC system is configured to provide at least one of ventilation and air conditioning for the battery system, and wherein the controller is configured to increase the electrical energy provided from the regenerate braking system to the HVAC system in response to an increase in a temperature of the battery system above an extreme high temperature threshold. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the HVAC system is configured to provide heating for the battery system, and wherein the controller is configured to increase the electrical energy provided from the regenerate braking system to the HVAC system in response to a decrease in a temperature of the battery system below an extreme low temperature threshold. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the HVAC system is further configured to provide heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for a cabin of the electrified vehicle. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the HVAC system is configured to provide at least one of ventilation and air conditioning for the battery system, and wherein controlling the distribution of the electrical energy includes increasing the electrical energy provided from the regenerate braking system to the HVAC system in response to an increase in a temperature of the battery system above an extreme high temperature threshold. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the HVAC system is configured to provide heating for the battery system, and wherein controlling the distribution of the electrical energy includes increasing the electrical energy provided from the regenerate braking system to the HVAC system in response to an decrease in a temperature of the battery system below an extreme cold temperature threshold.